City of Delafield - The Common Council agreed Monday night that it is willing to donate city services but not cash to a large athletic endurance event being staged this spring by the St. John's Northwestern Military Academy.

There are expected to be 500 to 600 participants, including more than 250 athletes in the duathlon scheduled for May 18 and 19 at the academy, according to Alex Heinz, interim assistant athletic director.

The duathlon consists of a 5K run, 18-mile bike ride, and another 5K run, according to Heinz.

Heinz said the academy is conducting the event as a fundraising activity.

The two runs will be on the academy's cross country course and along the Veterans Memorial River Walk.

The bike ride will extend north from the academy campus along Highway C to Highway K, west to Sawyer Road and south to Nashotah Road. The route includes the communities of Delafield, Nashotah, Town of Merton, Oconomowoc, Oconomowoc Lake, Summit and Okauchee.

Heinz estimated there could be as many as 350 volunteers helping stage the events. Registration for the event and a dinner will be Saturday. The athletic events will occur Sunday.

He anticipated that some of the volunteers and athletes will come from neighboring states and spend the weekend in the city.

Because of its size, the event is likely to generate revenues for local businesses, Heinz asserted. His PowerPoint presentation listed 13 business sponsors.

He asked the Common Council whether the city would be interested in being a title sponsor and providing a cash donation of $5,000 to help pay for police and emergency medical services.

Mayor Ed McAleer said the city might be willing to donate "in-kind services" in the form of police protection and possibly other municipal services.

He said Heinz would have to meet with the Lake Country Fire and Rescue governing board about whether it would be willing to donate emergency medical services.

"As far as a cash donation, that is just not possible; we don't have it in our budget," said Alderwoman Lynn Morrison.

Alderwoman Michele DeYoe asked Heinz whether he had met with the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Council.

Heinz told her that he had met with the Chamber of Commerce, and chamber officials had recommended he meet with the Common Council.

"I am a little surprised they sent you here; your best bet is tourism and promotion," DeYoe responded.

She pointed out that the Tourism Council might have grant funds to assist projects that attract visitors to the city, and suggested the military academy's project might be eligible.

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